1) Can an architect work on a project where the general contractor is not licensed, and the jurisdiction requires all contractors to be licensed? In this case, the owner has a trusted and experienced contractor they would like to use, for a small nonresidential project, but the contractor is not licensed. As I understand it, by hiring an unlicensed GC, the owner automatically assumes the liability that would otherwise be on the contractor. However, is there anything that would implicate the design professional by agreeing to work on a project that will be built by an unlicensed contractor?
2) Other than the legal and liability questions, what are the main practical disadvantages for an architect working with an unlicensed contractor? Obviously the construction documents will describe a code-compliant project no matter who the builder is. But are there aspects of construction, means and methods etc, that an unlicensed contractor would typically not know about, which could result in code violations?
I should also mention that building permits are not required in the given jurisdiction, and the applicable code is IBC 2012.
Thank you!
2) Other than the legal and liability questions, what are the main practical disadvantages for an architect working with an unlicensed contractor? Obviously the construction documents will describe a code-compliant project no matter who the builder is. But are there aspects of construction, means and methods etc, that an unlicensed contractor would typically not know about, which could result in code violations?
I should also mention that building permits are not required in the given jurisdiction, and the applicable code is IBC 2012.
Thank you!